Silently tears flow down her face like raindrops.

Curled up in the corner of the closet, shaking with fear of his return.

She pulls her dress over her knees to cover the pieces of what he left.

Tightly, she shuts her eyes, willing him not to appear before her.

The sound of footsteps getting closer…closer, until they stop.

Silence so deafening she can hardly breathe so as not to make a sound.

Opening her eyes, he is standing before her, a giant, larger than life.

Someone she is taught to respect is no respecter of her,

As he rips into her soul, tearing her affection into tiny shreds of confusion.

Not realizing what is happening, yet knowing it is not right.

He says things and does things that she knows are wrong,

Yet she cannot deny him the control he has over her tiny being.

Glassy eyed, different from the person known to her everyday,

His breath so hot and short and she cannot breathe.

He finally pulls away and she can hear someone crying.

It is faint whimpers, coming from somewhere deep within her body.

She crawls back into her safe closet, pulling the curtain closed, her corner of the world, where no one can hurt her.

Her baby heart is thumping inside her chest as his footsteps walk away,

Whistling a familiar tune.

She hears a comforting voice whispering to her…

It’s okay, It’s okay,

 I’m sorry, I love you little girl…

It wasn’t your fault.